Riley's Tonsillectomy (Aired February 23, 1951)
Beginning October 4, 1949, the show was adapted for television for the DuMont Television Network, but Bendix's film contracts prevented him from appearing in the role. Instead, Jackie Gleason starred along with Rosemary DeCamp as wife Peg, Gloria Winters as daughter Barbara (Babs), Lanny Rees as son Chester Jr. (Junior), and Sid Tomack as Gillis, Riley's manipulative best buddy and next-door neighbor. John Brown returned as the morbid counseling undertaker Digby (Digger) O'Dell ("Well, I guess I'll be... shoveling off"; "Business is a little dead tonight"). Television's first Life of Riley won television's first Emmy (for "Best Film Made For and Shown on Television"). However, it came to an end on March 28, 1950 because of low ratings and because Gleason left the show, thinking he could find a better showcase for his unique abilities. Groucho Marx received a credit for "story.
THIS EPISODE:
February 23, 1951. NBC network origination, WRVR-FM, New York rebroadcast. Participating sponsors. The story of "Riley's Tonsillectomy". Syndicated rebroadcast date: February 25, 1975. Riley enters the hospital for a routine tonsillectomy. Somehow, everyone thinks he dies. Lots of laughs. William Bendix, John Brown. 30:54. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.
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